Let me just go ahead and put it out there that there aren't many vegetables I like. Carrots, corn (that I know doesn't REALLY count), cucumbers, lettuce, green beans, squash if it's fried and I recently discovered I like red bell peppers. That'd be it. But I love meat, and just make it work for me!
I'm also by no means a clean eating freak. That's all well and good but sometimes you just need some spaghetti in your life. I try to eat as clean as I can. I buy fresh when possible and frozen when I can't. I try to steer clear of all the middle aisles at the grocery store, and go to the Farmer's Market in the summer.
So you're probably wondering how I benefited from this GF/WF lifestlye. Well for starters I lost 40 pounds. Starting out I was wishing and hoping and crossing my fingers that I would lose 25. It was slow and steady at first but then once I was all in it literally started dripping off. I am no longer on thyroid medication. I was told I was pre-diabetic and my blood sugars are now in the healthy range. I suffered from debilitating migraines frequently, about every 2-3 days and I haven't had a migraine, not even one time, since last April/May. My boyfriend and I both suffered from stomach issues including IBS and we no longer have those. I feel AMAZE BALLS - seriously so much energy, stamina, no need for that afternoon nap when I get off work. I discovered I actually don't mind running, when it's warm, and became slightly obsessed. My skin, hair and nails are so much healthier, not dry and brittle. That's all I can think of for now, but that list is quite impressive!
For me, being GF/WF is one of those things that I think, "why the heck didn't I do this sooner?" Not only for the weight loss, but just for the way I feel. That in itself is worth it to me to pass up that warm, luscious roll with butter on it or the cheesy pasta. I can still have those things, just a little different, and not have the problems I had before.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Thursday, January 9, 2014
What is Gluten?
"What is Gluten?"
That's the first question I'm asked when I say I don't eat gluten. So here is my answer: Gluten is a protein that is responsible for the elasticity in grains such as wheat. Some people are gluten intolerant, celiac's disease, and a lot more people than you might think are gluten sensitive.
When I first went GF I simply changed my sandwich bread from good 'ol Mrs. Baird's 100% Whole Wheat (which you'd think would be a good thing but not necessarily) to Udi's Gluten Free Sandwich Bread. You find this in the frozen bread section at the grocery store. That's all I did. I did this for a week or so, tried to not eat breads or pasta any other time, and gradually started the change. I then saw a package of gluten free pasta at HEB and was in heaven. I changed my cereal from Cheerios to Chex Mix which is naturally GF since it's made of corn.
The basic premise when going GF is to avoid flour. That's basically all I think of when choosing what to eat. Think of something - bread, pasta, cake, even soup, if it has regular flour in it, it also has gluten. Gluten Free products are made with rice flour, corn, other flour combinations and xantham gum to act like gluten and flour, without the upsetting and negative qualities.
Luckily there are several GF blogs, websites, etc. to help you learn what gluten and wheat does to your body, your digestive system and how our diets have changed in the last several years where grains and wheat are in literally EVERYTHING and not so great for you. It's basically a filler, when you could be putting fresh lean meats and veggies in your body to fuel it better.
That's the first question I'm asked when I say I don't eat gluten. So here is my answer: Gluten is a protein that is responsible for the elasticity in grains such as wheat. Some people are gluten intolerant, celiac's disease, and a lot more people than you might think are gluten sensitive.
When I first went GF I simply changed my sandwich bread from good 'ol Mrs. Baird's 100% Whole Wheat (which you'd think would be a good thing but not necessarily) to Udi's Gluten Free Sandwich Bread. You find this in the frozen bread section at the grocery store. That's all I did. I did this for a week or so, tried to not eat breads or pasta any other time, and gradually started the change. I then saw a package of gluten free pasta at HEB and was in heaven. I changed my cereal from Cheerios to Chex Mix which is naturally GF since it's made of corn.
The basic premise when going GF is to avoid flour. That's basically all I think of when choosing what to eat. Think of something - bread, pasta, cake, even soup, if it has regular flour in it, it also has gluten. Gluten Free products are made with rice flour, corn, other flour combinations and xantham gum to act like gluten and flour, without the upsetting and negative qualities.
Luckily there are several GF blogs, websites, etc. to help you learn what gluten and wheat does to your body, your digestive system and how our diets have changed in the last several years where grains and wheat are in literally EVERYTHING and not so great for you. It's basically a filler, when you could be putting fresh lean meats and veggies in your body to fuel it better.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Here we go...
What the heck am I doing!?!
So, I have been thinking about and been told several times that I should start a blog. Here's why...
I have been living the Gluten Free and Wheat Free lifestyle since last April. I know, I'm a glutton for punishment, especially because I grew up with biscuits and rolls as a staple at our dinner table. I can promise you I loved (possibly still love) bread, pasta, cake, cupcakes, cookies, etc. more than any human on the planet. And yet I have adapted a lifestyle which alters that and even cuts my favorite things out. What was I thinking?
Growing up I was always thin and floppy and never, ever worried about what I ate. Heck, my sister and I used to eat fried butter sandwiches every afternoon! I was very athletic in high school but still ate whatever the heck I wanted. It wasn't until the dreaded and very much for real Freshmen 15 hit me my first year in college. That 15 turned into about 3-5 pounds every year until last year. I was literally miserable in my own body. And although I think I carried it all well, and was fashionable not frumpy, I hated it. I had tried every fad diet, every diet pill, joined a gym, even tried going GF to help with migraines along with weight loss. Nothing worked. Sure I'd lose about 5-10 pounds but would get burned out and here they came running back.
I'm not quite sure at what moment I had an epiphany and decided, "this is it." But I did. I never looked back. Sure I've messed up a couple times and fell off the wagon, but not many. And I can't even begin to list all the issues I had that are now better or gone thanks to going GF/WF, some I didn't even realize I had.
So I'm doing this blog to share recipes, ideas, ways to be GF/WF with y'all because I promise just cutting back a tad or at least being more conscious about the gluten or wheat in your diet will help you out!
To be continued!
So, I have been thinking about and been told several times that I should start a blog. Here's why...
I have been living the Gluten Free and Wheat Free lifestyle since last April. I know, I'm a glutton for punishment, especially because I grew up with biscuits and rolls as a staple at our dinner table. I can promise you I loved (possibly still love) bread, pasta, cake, cupcakes, cookies, etc. more than any human on the planet. And yet I have adapted a lifestyle which alters that and even cuts my favorite things out. What was I thinking?
Growing up I was always thin and floppy and never, ever worried about what I ate. Heck, my sister and I used to eat fried butter sandwiches every afternoon! I was very athletic in high school but still ate whatever the heck I wanted. It wasn't until the dreaded and very much for real Freshmen 15 hit me my first year in college. That 15 turned into about 3-5 pounds every year until last year. I was literally miserable in my own body. And although I think I carried it all well, and was fashionable not frumpy, I hated it. I had tried every fad diet, every diet pill, joined a gym, even tried going GF to help with migraines along with weight loss. Nothing worked. Sure I'd lose about 5-10 pounds but would get burned out and here they came running back.
I'm not quite sure at what moment I had an epiphany and decided, "this is it." But I did. I never looked back. Sure I've messed up a couple times and fell off the wagon, but not many. And I can't even begin to list all the issues I had that are now better or gone thanks to going GF/WF, some I didn't even realize I had.
So I'm doing this blog to share recipes, ideas, ways to be GF/WF with y'all because I promise just cutting back a tad or at least being more conscious about the gluten or wheat in your diet will help you out!
To be continued!
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